The Republic of Cote d’Ivoire (previously known as the Ivory Coast) is a West African country that was once called the ‘teeth coast’ due to the trade in ivory. This West African country officially uses its French name, Côte d’Ivoire (pronounced kot dee-VWAHR).
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) lies in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia and slightly larger than New Mexico, US.
Cote d’Ivoire is the world’s largest exporter of cocoa, which is used to make chocolate. It is also one of the largest producers and exporters of coffee and palm oil.
Cote d’Ivoire’s Tai National Park is an ancient forest and home to the pygmy hippopotamus. It is one of the last remaining areas of virgin rainforest in West Africa. You’ll see trees up to 50m high, with massive trunks and huge supporting roots. Walking through a primary forest is a unique experience: the towering trees, hanging lianas, swift streams and resident wildlife combine to create a peaceful and enchanting environment.
Abidjan is the largest city in Cote d’Ivoire and serves as its economic capital. It is the third-largest French-speaking population in the world.
You don’t have to be a skilled climber to reach the 396 meters high top of “Mount Nienokoue” of Cote d’Ivoire. You’ll only need a good physical condition to walk the rough terrain in front of the mountain. Mount Nienokoue is located in the Southern part of Tai National Park, which has been a World Heritage Site since 1982. This is one of the largest unspoiled areas of rainforest remaining in West Africa.
Notre Dame de la Paix, Cote d’Ivoire. Colossal cathedral rose following Rome Saint Peter Basilica pattern. It has a capacity for 18.000 faithful and its interior shows African art and motives.
Cote d’Ivoire’s Grand Bassam is now just a nostalgic relic of its heyday as capital of the French colony. You can find a lot of old colonial buildings most of them are run-down and decrepit but some of the finer buildings have been maintained as tourist attractions.
The basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, the “other” capital of Cote d’Ivoire, is worth a visit. Guiness says it’s the largest Christian church in the world. While this is not universally accepted, it is quite large … and quite strange, sitting in the middle of the Cote d’Ivoire as it does.
Sassandra in Cote d’Ivoire is an attractive place to stay; it is located at the delta of the Sassandra River, next to the sea. The thing to do here is to make a trip with a pirogue, searching for hippos. In the mangrove trees there were monkeys swinging around and many beautiful birds.